Tag: Vets

No cat owner wants to see their pet distressed, but sometimes it happens. Loads of felines suffer with this one, but what is a cat hairball?

Evan Blaser / Flickr

When you choose to take a cat into your home, you make a silent vow to look after them and care for them no matter what. It’s fair to say that pet lovers get particularly worried whenever their cat looks a tad sick. That in itself is totally normal. Coughing and spluttering is the sign of a very common problem with your kitty, so what is a cat hairball and how can you stop your pet getting them?

Are hairballs normal or not?

First, let’s deal with the burning question on everyone’s mind. Are cat hairballs normal or not? This is one of the things that stresses out many cat owners. When you see your kitty struggling to cough up that ball, it may worry you a whole lot. The last thing that you ever need is your cat to be in some kind of pain. But wait a minute, isn’t this whole thing just a normal part of feline life?

The truth is that while cat hairballs aren’t a major problem, they are avoidable. What’s more, they are not particularly comfortable for your kitty to throw-up, and so you should do all that you can to get rid of them sooner rather than later. Let’s take a look at what a cat hairball is and how you can prevent your pet from getting them.

What is a cat hairball?

You’ve likely noticed that your cat grooms themselves a huge percentage of the time. Yes, felines tend to spend most of their waking hours licking themselves. While that means that they are clean animals, it also means that they have to deal with the dreaded hairballs now and then. Yikes.

While your cat is grooming themselves, they are picking up stray hairs from their body. Many of these hairs will be digested (gross, right?), but some will stick in the digestive tract instead. When this happens, they collect and stick together. Mucus forms around them to create a blockage. It’s at this point that your cat will begin to cough them up in the form of a hairball. Scarily enough, there are times when this problem will also be a sign of sickness too.

However, it may sometimes when the cause of these hairballs is more emotional than it is physical. In fact, a 2011 study from Ohio State University, found that felines may throw-up hairballs when their daily routine is disrupted. So, suddenly, you change something in the home environment, you may find that your kitty starts to act sick, when that is not the case at all. Be aware of this issue when it comes to tackling the problem!

Signs and symptoms

Most of the time, if your cat gets just the odd hairball, it’s fine. On the other hand, if this happens on a seriously regular basis, it could indicate that your kitty has a medical issue. If you’re worried that your kitty has more than a hairball issue, there are some signs that you may want to look out for. Here are some of the illness signs and symptoms that you should keep your eye on:

If you happen to notice that your cat has any of the above signs, you may want to take them to the vets sooner rather than later. It’s probably nothing, but it’s worth getting your pet checked out by a professional. Of course, if you do find that your cat has some kind of condition, the vet will be able to tell you what steps you ought to take next. Simple!

How to cure the hairball problem

While most cats get hairballs now and then, you may well want to prevent them. (For one thing, they are no fun to have to clean up and your cat doesn’t like them much either.) There are a few home remedies that you may find help you to get rid of the problem once and for all. Try some of these out on your kitty and you may just find that the hairballs go away for good:

Groom your cat well

Since this issue comes from your cat grooming themselves, maybe you should get their first. Brush your cat on a regular basis and make sure that you wipe away excess hairs with baby wipes. Doing so will mean that there are few hairs for your pet to ingest.

Add olive oil to their food

Lubricating your cat’s digestive tract will mean that the hairs just slide away. One of the best things you can do is add a little olive oil to their regular food. That ought to do the job in no time at all!

Change your cat’s food

Of course, you want to get the healthiest cat food on the market, but what if that’s the problem? There are some brands out there that promote an ‘anti-hairball ingredient’. It may be worth checking one of them out to solve the problem. Genius!

So, what do you think? With any luck, we’ve now answered the question ‘what is a cat hairball’ here. What’s more, we’ve given you a load of tricks and tips to boot! As you can see, there are many ways in which you can treat cat hairballs. Remember, your cat’s health relies on you so you need to do all you can to protect them. Good luck, cat lovers!

Nobody likes the thought of their cat being too thin but what are the reasons for cat weight loss? We look at some of the most common causes.

Jim Ratliff / Flickr

Of course, none of us like to think of our kitties being ill in any way. When you notice that your pet starts to slim down in a rather dramatic way, it’s nothing short of troubling. You may start to worry yourself with all the terrible possibilities here. You should know that there are a great many reasons for cat weight loss — some troublesome and others not so much so. Here’s just a quick and easy rundown of some of the most likely causes for the problem.

1. Cat anxiety or stress

Yes, you might not believe it, but cats can suffer from stress and anxiety just as we can. What’s more, when your pet is suffering with this problem, they are likely to encounter some serious cat weight loss too. Much of the time, this is down to the fact that they stop eating as much as they used to before they were stressed out.

So, what causes this anxiety and how can you fix it? Well, changes in your kitty’s environment are likely to blame. If you’ve moved the place around or introduced a new animal, these could be behind the issue. Keep an eye on the situation and consult your local vet if it happens to continue.

2. The eating area is dirty

Make no mistakes, cats are seriously fussy eaters. Some pet owners are just plain lazy when it comes to cleaning up their cat’s eating area. If the bowls and area in general are unclean, your cat may not like to eat there. It really is that simple. If your cat has suddenly stopped chowing down, this could be the reason.

Check out your pet’s eating station. If it looks something of a mess, you need to take action. It will help to clean the mat beneath the bowls as well as the eating stuff itself. You should realistically do this at least once every couple of weeks to keep your cat healthy and happy.

3. Feline parasites or worms

Here’s a not-so-nice your pet may be experiencing cat weight loss. Felines can often host parasites inside them that feed on their nutrients. What that means is that it doesn’t matter how much they eat, their weight will continue to drop at a rather sharp rate. If your pet still has a seemingly healthy appetite but is slimming down, this is likely the reason.

One of the most common parasites happens to be roundworm. There’s an easy (yet disgusting!) way to check for this problem. Take a look at your cat’s feces. If there are little white worms in them, you will know just what the issue is. A trip to the vets and a course of worming tablets should do the trick!

4. Infections and viruses

If worms aren’t to blame, there may be something else affecting your cat and their weight. Viruses and infections often contribute to and even cause cat weight loss. Again, the signs of this will be that your cat is eating but still losing a whole load of weight on a weekly basis. It can be very troubling for any cat owner once they realize that this is the case.

If you worry that your kitty may be struggling with an infection, you need to get them some medical help as soon as possible. Take them to your vet and explain the situation. They should be able to advise you on what you need to do next.

5. Dental problems

Let’s face it, if your cat’s teeth are causing them pain, it’s only natural that they would lose their appetite. In fact, this is one of the leading reasons that many cats tend to start to lose weight and get thinner and thinner. You need to check your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. Some of the major signs of dental issues include discoloration and browning. When you find out that there is an issue, the best thing you can do is consult with your vet.

6. Just old age

Finally, here’s one of the most natural causes for cat weight loss. The truth of the matter is that cats tend to get smaller as they age. This is a normal part of them getting older, and should be of no major concern. If your cat is more than 15 years old, you needn’t worry too much about this problem.

Then again, if you believe that your pet is thinning down at a super fast rate, you may want to get some professional advice. Looking after your cat’s best interests should always be your top priority, and so it’s important that you keep an eye on them even as they age.

It’s never nice to see stray cats on the street and many wonder how to help homeless cats. Luckily, we have all the answers you could need here.

Adriano Makoto Suzuki / Flickr

When you notice a stray cat living in your area, it can be quite a worry. The truth of the matter is that most of us simply don’t know how to help homeless cats and so we do nothing at all. There’s one major problem with that — these felines need us more than we know. If you’ve noticed a kitty near you, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for a poor old kitty who has been abandoned.

Why should you consider how to help homeless cats?

There’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a poor, homeless kitty walking the streets. If you happen to live in an area where there are loads of stray cats, you may very much want to help. Luckily, there are loads of ways in which you can improve the lives of these animals, but why should you?

Well, aside from the obvious reason that cats are adorable, they serve a purpose in communities. It’s actually homeless cats that tend to help keep things like rats and mice under wraps. In urban areas, these rodents can turn out to be a real problem in no time at all. Before you know it, they take over a place and start to spread bacteria and, ultimately, diseases too. If you want to avoid just that problem, we have the answer.

Stray cats are an economical, not to mention eco friendly, solution to just this problem. If you keep these kitties happy and healthy, they will help you keep those nasty little rodents at bay in no time at all. This simple trick means that the streets will be cleaner than ever and these lovely kitties will have a better quality of life too. Bonus!

Put out a ‘found cat’ advert

Of course, what looks like a stray or homeless cat may well be someone’s beloved pet that they desperately want back. That’s why the very first thing you need to do is put an advert out there to say that you’ve found this moggy. You could easily put up posters in the area with a picture of the cat on them and your contact details. You may also wish to post an advert on the likes of Gumtree or even Craigslist to let people know you’ve found this cat.

If there’s one thing that’s for sure, the owners of the missing cat will be checking the area and online forums. If you let them know that you have the cat, they will be extremely happy that their kitty is safe and well. Of course, this tip works both ways. You should also check the internet to see if there are any adverts about a ‘missing cat’ in your area too.

Call a nearby cat shelter for help

If it appears that a very young (or old!) cat has been abandoned and cannot survive alone, you need to take action sooner rather than later. Call a local cat shelter and see what help and advice they can offer you. Often, they will have some rather excellent tips about how to help homeless cats.You may even find that they give you some help in rehoming the cat as well. That means that the stray kitten might find a loving family to take care of them!

How to help homeless cats in the winter

Needless to say, when the temperature drops, it can be particularly hard to help stray cats. Homeless kitties really do suffer through these months and it can be hard to know where to start. If you are able to provide some form of shelter for these cats, do so. One of the greatest things you can do is put together a makeshift cat home so that they have a place where they can hide away from the cold weather.

You could also give the cats access to food and water. Allowing these kitties to come into your home, warm up, and get some food and water is an utterly sweet thing to do. It’s these small gestures that really help homeless cats and ensure that they survive the hardest of months.

Try to find the cat a home yourself

If all else fails, there’s only one course of action you can take. Finding the kitty a home yourself is one of the kindest things you can do for it. In the meantime, you will need to look after the feline in your own home. It’s likely worth taking them to the vets and getting them checked over too. After all, you have no idea how long this cat has been homeless or what kind of lifestyle they have been leading. They may well have illnesses, fleas, or other health related issues that you will need to deal with.

Once you’ve done that, you can advertise the cat ‘free to a good home’. Be sure to meet the people who answer your advert before you choose to hand over the kitty. The most important thing here is that the feline finds a nice, safe home where they will be looked after seriously well. You should go to great lengths in finding the cat a suitable place to live with people that will really care for it.

We like to think our kitty cats see the world just as we do, but is that true? The one big question on everyone’s mind: Do cats see in color?

Emilio Küffer / Flickr

How does your cat see the world? It may be something that you’ve never thought about before now, but perhaps you should. One of the things that many cat owners wonder about is do cats see in color? Well, it’s not actually a very simple question to answer, although it may sound it. The truth of the matter is that kitties see some colors but their vision is not exactly like ours is.

While that may sound a little complex right now, we will explain. You see, it’s all about how certain nerves in our eyes (and, indeed, the eyes of our felines) compute the information that they get from the outside world. When you look at something in front of you, you instantly take in a wealth of information. So, in theory, to understand this area, we first need to consider how our own eyes work on a day to day basis.

How do we see color?

To really understand what cats see when they look at the world around them, you need to know how we see color. It’s not merely enough to ask the question ‘do cats see color’, you need to think about what it really means to see and, indeed, understand what different colors are. So, how do we actually see color then?

Well, here’s the science. We humans have nerves in our eyes called ‘cones’. It is these nerves which allow us to see color and interpret what it actually is. When we look at something, different sensors inside the cones allow us to decipher which color each is.

Humans have three types of cone which means that we can see red, green, and blue with ease. Since we have many of these cones in our eyes, we can also see wide variations of these colors as well.

So, what is different about cats?

It may surprise you to find that cats also have three different types of cones. However, they have much less than we do in each eye. What that realistically means is that while they can see color, they don’t get as wide an array of colors as we might. That means that they see differences between the likes of red, blue, and green, but they don’t see the intrinsic differences between different tones and the like.

There’s another difference between cats’ vision and our eyesight. You may have noticed before now that your kitty has trouble seeing things that are particularly far away. There’s a good reason for that. Most cats are actually ‘near sighted’. That means that they can make out crisp, clear images when they are close to something, but not when they are far away from it. That can be tricky, especially when it comes to warding off predators and even hunting.

Cats see better in the dark!

While cats tend to lack color perception and struggle to see things that are far away, there’s one area of vision where they truly excel. When it comes to seeing in dim or darkly lit rooms or spaces, cats really are the masters. Their eyes have evolved to see a great deal in the dark, which means that they are able to hunt at night.

In this instant, color is not so important. The reason that cats have developed in this way is because they never needed to decipher different colors. Instead, they just needed to make out objects in the dark spaces around their home. In doing so, they can use their exceptional eyesight to win the upper hand at night time. In short, what they lack in color vision, they make up with their super cool night vision! Awesome.

Has your poor cat been sneezing and sniffling all the time? Have you asked yourself can cats catch a cold? Luckily for you, we have all the answers!

Magic Madzik / Flickr

We can’t count the amount of times people have come up to us and said, can cats catch a cold? For some reason, many people find it hard to understand that kitties, just like humans, can fall ill at a moment’s notice. If your cat is sniffling or generally looks unwell, it’s important that you do something about it sooner rather than later.

Sadly, if you leave a condition like this one for too long, your pet runs the risk of becoming iller and iller. That’s the last thing that you want. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. We have all the information you need about cat colds you could possibly need. So, sit back, grab yourself a cup of tea, and get reading.

So, can cats catch a cold? And, if so, how?

The short answer is, of course, yes. Cats can get colds just like we can. When you see them sneezing away, it’s down to a little something that experts call ‘upper respiratory disease’. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s not nearly as bad as it sounds. In reality, this condition is very similar to the human strain of cold you or I get.

The problem is that the virus may never leave your cat’s system once they get it. This is the reason why there are cats out there who get colds again and again. Since the virus is still dormant in their system, the cold itself will come back at any given chance.

As for why cats actually get colds, there could be a whole host of reasons out there. These types of infections can be both bacterial or viral. That means that they can pick them up from other cats, through the air, or just by being out in the cold for too long. You shouldn’t be mad at yourself for failing to prevent the cold because doing so is pretty much impossible.

What you really need to do is make sure that you catch the virus as soon as possible. The moment that you see your cat is sick, it’s important that you do something about it. A few sneezes here and there are likely no massive problem. However, if your cat is sneezing all the time, you may find that they need medical attention right away.

What are the symptoms of cat colds?

Of course, the first step is identifying the fact that your kitty actually has a cold. There are some common signs that you should look out for when your cat starts to seem unwell in anyway. If they show the following signs of a cold, you should take action:

Coughing and sneezing

Dripping (discharge) from the eyes and nose

Dyhydration

Loss of appetite

Tiredness

Fever

Ulcers around the eyes, nose, or mouth

‘Mouth breathing’

In general, you should be able to tell when your cat is ill. All of the above signs don’t have to be there, but if some are, you need to do something about it. When people ask ‘can cats get a cold’, they are often surprised to find out that they can. It’s what you do next, though, that really does count.

What should you do next?

When you’ve figured out that, yes, your cat most likely does have a cold, what should you do? Well, there are a few home remedies that you may well want to try. These will help your cat to feel better and make the illness easier for them to cope with.

Please note: When your cat is seriously ill, you absolutely have to take them to the vets. They need an expert’s opinion sooner rather than later!

Give them a little steam!

Now, your cat may not like spending a whole load of time in the bathroom, but it could be a good idea right now. When the room gets all steamy (after you’ve had a shower or the like!), get your cat to sit in there for a while. The steam and heat will help to open up their nasal passage making it easier for them to breathe.

Give them a little extra food

Do you remember that old saying? ‘Feed a cold and starve a stomach bug.’ Well, that’s what you need to do here. Your cat’s body is fighting off an infection, and so they need as much energy (and food) as possible. Give them a little extra food in their bowl each day. It might just make all the difference.

Groom your cat

When your cat has a cold, you may notice that their eyes, nose, and mouth starts to run with clear liquid. You should be sure to clean this liquid away as soon as possible. Basically, this will make your cat very uncomfortable and that’s the last thing you want. Get a bowl of warm (ish) water and a clean dry cloth. Dip the cloth in the water and gently wipe around the areas where there is liquid.

How to treat cat colds

All of the above remedies are the perfect way to help your cat deal with their cold, however, they probably need medical help as well. If your take your pet to the vets, they will be able to look them over and see just what’s wrong. Much of the time, a cat with a cold will need a prescription to help treat it. You may find that your vet suggests an antibacterial oral medication and perhaps even some eye ointment as well.

Hint: To get your cat to take oral medication, wrap it in a bit of meat or cat food. They will swallow the tablet in no time at all!

So, your little pet is suffering from the dreaded cat diarrhea. It’s not the nicest subject in the world, but here’s what you need to know.

Natasia Causse / Flickr

It’s every pet owner’s worst nightmare, but when this issue starts to affect your little kitty, you need to know what to do. Cat diarrhea is nothing to smirk at; it’s just not a laughing matter. It’s something rather awful that can happen to your kitty at any given time. When it strikes, you need to take action sooner rather than later. After all, the very last thing you want is for your cat to get more and more sick over time. If you’ve seen the signs, here’s what you need to do next.

First of all, you need to clean the area where your cat has had an accident. As horrible as this job will surely be, it’s crucial that you make sure that you disinfect the area sooner rather than later. If you don’t clean up the cat diarrhea properly, you could find that your kitty picks up even more germs from the area. In time, that will mean that they get ill once again and, honestly, there will not be all that much you can do about it.

Once you’ve cleaned up, it’s time to address some rather pressing questions. You will need to figure out what caused the problem in the first place and how you can stop it happening again. As you may already realize, there are many, many reasons that this can happen to your pet. After all, just like us humans, there are a variety of ways in which your kitty can get sick every single day. Here, we will take a look at some of the major causes of cat diarrhea, how you can treat it, and how you can stop it ever happening again.

Major causes of Cat Diarrhea

So, what are the causes of cat diarrhea? Well, there are a number of things that could affect your cat’s bowel and digestive system. It’s worth taking the time to consider the many things that could have hurt your kitty before you take any action. After all, the sooner you know what the problem is, the sooner you can do something about it. Here are some of the possible causes:

A change in their diet

If you’ve started feeding your cat new things (such as a new brand of cat food), you may find that it doesn’t agree with them. This could be down to them having a weak stomach or even some allergies to certain ingredients! Try changing back to the old brand of food you used to see what happens next.

Viral infections

Cats can pick up viral infections from pretty much everywhere. Don’t forget that kitties tend to be particularly inquisitive. That means that they are more than happy to go sniffing and licking things in a bid to see what they are. The downside to this is that not everything is as clean as it perhaps could be. That means that they can easily pick up a nasty stomach bug.

Spoiled food

If the food your cat eats is somehow bad, you will find that it upsets your cat’s stomach. This could happen for a variety of reasons. For example, the cat food could have been slightly past its sell by date or the like. You need to pay attention to this kind of thing if you want to keep your cat healthy.

Kidney or liver disease

On very rare occasions, you will find that cat diarrhea is a symptom of kidney or liver disease. If that’s the case, you will find that the problem returns time and time again. It’s one of the scariest things, but the sooner you catch it, the better. Refer to your vet as soon as possible. They will be able to tell you what to do next.

How to Treat the Problem

If this is a one-off problem, you can likely treat it at home. There are, of course, a few ways in which you can treat the cat diarrhea safely and quickly in the comfort of your own home. So, what should you do? Well, the first thing to remember is that you must never panic. Here are a few tips that should help you along the way:

Don’t give your cat food for 24 hours

You need to let your cat’s stomach settle as much as possible. The best way to do that is to have them fast for 24 hours. Just avoid giving your cat any food for the next day. Make sure that they have plenty of water so that they can flush the problem out of their system!

Then, give them only dry food

The next day, you should not feed your cat any wet food. Instead, you will need to start them on something much less strong. You might want to give your cat some plain dry food (or even kitten food!) for the time being.

Keep an eye on your cat!

Finally, while you’re treating the problem, you should keep a close eye on your cat. Make sure that you feed them small portions regularly. Doing so will mean that your cat has a chance to digest their food slowly and easily!

Note: If your kitty keeps suffering from cat diarrhea, you will need to take them to the vets. This could be a sign of a serious medical condition, and so you need to get them the help they deserve as soon as you can. Good luck, cat lovers!

It’s been a mystery for some time, so can cats get colds just like us?

Onesharp / Flickr

Wait, was that a sneeze? If your cat is looking a little ill at the moment, it’s only natural that you’d start to worry about their health! So, can cats get colds or is it just a myth?

It’s every pet-owner’s worst nightmare. When your kitty starts to get ill, your natural response may be to start worrying or even go into full-on panic mode. It might sound bizarre but hearing your cat sneeze or cough is actually very normal. Many people ask the question, ‘can cats get colds?’, on a daily basis. Well, we’re here to answer your questions!

First of all, let’s start with the basics when tackling can cats get colds? Many animals out there have to deal with respiratory problems. Whether it’s a fever or a full-on cold, cats can suffer from a whole load of illnesses just like we do. The truth of the matter is many felines can get colds on a regular basis. This is, of course, something you need to keep an eye on. If your cat gets colds more often than not, it’s worth contacting your vet and letting them know. So, what should you be looking for?

Symptoms of a cat cold

If you fear that your little kitty is coming down with something, the very best thing you can do is look out for some telltale signs. Rather than simply asking yourself ‘can cats get colds?’, you should be on the lookout for them instead. Here are some of the things that you might just notice:

A low appetite

Coughing

Sneezing

Fever

Dehydration

Weeping from the eyes

Open-mouth breathing

As you can see, many of the symptoms are similar to what humans have to deal with. That means that they shouldn’t be too hard to spot. Any one of these alone may simply be a coincidence. When you see a few of the cat cold signs together, though, it’s time that you took action and did something about it.

The sooner you notice the cold, the sooner you will be able to do something about it. Remember, the more attention you pay to your cat, the better. Cats can sometimes get a little ill without people even realizing it. If your kitty changes behavior or starts showing the above signs, it’s your duty as a pet owner to do something about it. After all, no one wants their little cat to be ill. It’s a truly horrible thought!

What should you do next?

Okay, the first thing that you need to remember is not to panic. Yes, your little kitty is a tad sick, but worrying will only make everything harder than it needs to be. You should, first of all, wipe any of the discharge away from your cat’s eyes. (Be sure to use a super soft tissue for this and be as gentle as can be!) You may also want to change the humidity of the room. Creating a steamy environment could help to literally ‘steam’ the cold out of your pet.

Finally, you should try to make sure that your cat has extra food and water on a daily basis. If they have lost their hunger, you can give them special ‘treat’ foods like meat or fish to help bring it back. In reality, the more food and water your cat has, the quicker they will be able to ward off the cold.

Possible treatments to try!

If the cold stays for quite some time, it may well be worth looking into treatments that you could try. Head straight to the vets and talk to them about what options are available to you. Some of the things that you might want to try include antibiotics or other oral medications. In all honesty, you can’t buy many of these over the counter. That is why it’s completely essential that you visit the vets and ask them what to do next.

Your dedicated vets should be able to help you treat the cat cold quickly and effectively. Of course, cat medication can be rather pricey at the best of times. For that reason, you absolutely have to make sure that you invest in pet insurance. Doing so will help you deal with any medical costs you may need to pay for your kitty. Good luck and we hope your cat feels better soon!